Downy Calm

Procter & Gamble
45 Poor

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Molly's Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Powder Fragrance Free Molly's Suds, LLC 95 View on Amazon · $24.99 See all Laundry, ranked

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 3
Owned by Procter & Gamble
Category Laundry
Summary

This product contains diethylester dimethyl ammonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound known for causing skin irritation and contributing to antimicrobial resistance, which raises concerns about its safety for indoor use and environmental impact. The presence of undisclosed fragrance mixtures and synthetic dyes further detracts from its score, as these ingredients are common allergens and can persist in the environment. Overall, the formulation relies on several chemical components that impact its overall safety and eco-friendliness.

Key ingredients 7

Fragrance
Very Bad

Undisclosed fragrance mixture — the most common allergen/irritant flag in personal care.

Risks

Fragrances can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.

Benefits

Fragrances provide a pleasant scent to the product.

See more about Fragrance →
Diethylester Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride
Bad

This is a quaternary ammonium compound used as a fabric softener. Quats can cause skin irritation and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. They are often scrutinized for their environmental impact.

Risks

Potential risks include skin irritation and contribution to antimicrobial resistance.

Benefits

It provides fabric softening properties, making clothes feel softer.

See more about Diethylester Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride →
Blend of Polyoxyalkylene Substituted Chromophores (Red and Blue) [colorant]
Bad

These are synthetic dyes used to impart color to the product. They do not contribute to cleaning efficacy. Synthetic dyes can be persistent in the environment and may cause allergic reactions.

Risks

Potential risks include skin irritation and environmental persistence.

Benefits

They provide an appealing color to the product.

See more about Blend of Polyoxyalkylene Substituted Chromophores (Red and Blue) [colorant] →
Water
Neutral

Water is a universal solvent used in many formulations. It acts as a carrier for other ingredients. It is generally considered safe and non-reactive.

Risks

There are no significant risks associated with water in cleaning products.

Benefits

Water helps dissolve and distribute other ingredients evenly.

See more about Water →
Polyquaternium-33
Neutral

Polyquaternium-33 is a conditioning agent used in fabric softeners. It helps reduce static and improve the feel of fabrics. It is generally considered safe for use in cleaning products.

Risks

There are minimal risks associated with Polyquaternium-33 in cleaning products.

Benefits

It helps reduce static cling and improves fabric texture.

See more about Polyquaternium-33 →
Formic Acid
Neutral

Formic acid is used as a pH adjuster in cleaning products. It helps maintain the stability and effectiveness of the formulation. It is generally safe in low concentrations.

Risks

High concentrations can cause skin irritation.

Benefits

It helps maintain the product's pH balance, enhancing stability.

See more about Formic Acid →
Pentasodium Pentetate
Neutral

Pentasodium Pentetate is a chelating agent that binds metal ions. It helps improve the stability and effectiveness of the formulation. It is generally considered safe in cleaning products.

Risks

There are minimal risks associated with Pentasodium Pentetate in cleaning products.

Benefits

It enhances the stability and performance of the product by binding metal ions.

See more about Pentasodium Pentetate →

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Amazon pricing & content

Amazon price for Molly's Suds Baby Laundry Detergent Powder Fragrance Free as of . Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Downy Calm

Common questions

Is Downy Calm healthy?

Downy Calm scores 45/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a below-average score in Scout's analysis. This product contains diethylester dimethyl ammonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound known for causing skin irritation and contributing to antimicrobial resistance, which raises concerns about its safety for indoor use and environmental impact.

How does Downy Calm compare to other laundry products?

Downy Calm ranks #11 of 16 laundry products in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is Eco-Max Natural Laundry Detergent Lavender at 95/100.

Which ingredients drive Downy Calm's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Diethylester Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Fragrance, Blend of Polyoxyalkylene Substituted Chromophores (Red and Blue) [colorant] are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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